Entertainment NOW

2 • June 4 - 10, 2023 Entertainment Now By Dana Simpson TV Media A fter decades of com- petitive reality shows committed to finding the most talented singers, dancers, performers and the like, CBS launches an unscripted series dedicated to the fans — well, to the "super- fans," to be exact. Honoring the most loyal of six celebrities' fan bases, the network's new competition series tests a group of contestants' knowl- edge in exchange for a chance to meet their idols up close and personal. "Superfan" pre- mieres Friday, June 9, on CBS, the CBS app and Paramount+. Created by executive produc- ers Keltie Knight ("Footloose," 2011) and Jodi Roth ("Inappro- priate Jeff," 2014), "Superfan" makes use of a classic game show model — think BBC's "Mastermind," if you've seen it — testing players on a smat- tering of facts about the musi- cian they all share a love for. Each week, beginning with LL Cool J ("NCIS: Los Angeles"), one music star is welcomed to perform and look on as their biggest fans settle the No.1-fan question once and for all. The series, which has a six- episode freshman season and is hosted by Canadian TV per- sonality Knight and Canadian- American former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson ("The NFL Today"), features one new musical celebrity per episode. Following LL Cool J's inaugural episode, the weekly guests of honor are as follows: Canadian country music legend Shania Twain ("That Don't Impress Me Much," 1997) on June 16; Cuban-American pop sensa- tion Gloria Estefan ("Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," 1987) on June 23; Alabama-born coun- try foursome Little Big Town ("Pontoon," 2012) on June 30; rapper and Miami native Pitbull ("I Know You Want Me," 2009) on July 7; and Tennesseean singer/songwriter Kelsea Bal- lerini ("Miss Me More," 2017) for the July 14 finale. As the artist's fans compete across several rounds to figure out who will come out as the one and only "superfan," they each get the opportunity to interact with their favorite artist, thus making their music fandom dreams come true just by taking part. By the end of each episode, the artist in the spotlight will crown their No. 1 fan and present to them a unique set of prizes. While discussing his excite- ment about co-hosting the new show, Burleson stated that "Superfan" "perfectly captures the energy of concert vibes and competition," adding that "as a host, I get to meet music icons and watch everyday fans compete for a dream prize." As far as the at-home audi- ence's interaction with the fun goes, Burleson notes, "You will dance, laugh and even cry by the end of each episode, but more importantly, you'll walk away a superfan yourself." And Burleson isn't the only person delighted to be taking the game show genre to new heights; creators Knight and Roth also expressed their own love for the series in the CBS news release. "We felt like it was time that fan bases across all genres of music get the love and recogni- tion they deserve," the pair said. "'Superfan' gives cele- brated musical artists a chance to honor their fans by engaging with them one-on-one and surprising them with once-in- a-lifetime prize packages. It's a feel-good show that everyone will enjoy." The wide range in artist gen- eration, background and musi- cal genre opens the antics up to the entire family, regardless of initial interest, and provides wholesome entertainment for audiences of all ages. An added bonus for CBS and the artists involved is that, given the anticipated viewership in its prime-time slot, new fans may be born while existing fans are entertained. One of the best parts, ac- cording to CBS's executive vice-president of specials, mu- sic, live events and alternative programming, Jack Sussman, is that "audiences can play along ... at home." Sussman also noted in the show's official re- lease that, "[V]iewers will also be treated to an exclusive med- ley of hits performed by these mega musicians," adding that each concert "will feel all the more special when performed for their most passionate fans." While music game shows such as "Don't Forget the Lyrics," "Beat Shazam!," "The Masked Singer" and late-night show host Jimmy Fallon's "That's My Jam" have all proven popular over the years — along with, of course, staple competition series such as ABC's "American Idol" and NBC's "The Voice" — "Super- fan" is truly one of a kind in the world of cable television today. That said, only time and ratings will tell whether the series will blaze a new trail in prime time. Find out whether CBS's new music series will make a su- perfan out of you this spring — "Superfan" premieres with special guest LL Cool J Friday, June 9, on CBS. It is also avail- able to stream on the CBS app and the Paramount+ streaming platform. Cover Story Pitbull as seen in "Superfan" Fandom made 'Super': CBS premieres new competition series honoring music fans Farmers Insurance 2 x 2 Letters & Numbers Sudoku Fill in the grid so that every row,every column, and every 4x4 box contains the digits 1 through 9 AND the letters A-F. Solution on page 12.

• Cover